Japanese engineers develop radiation-resistant Wi-Fi chip for robots in nuclear environments

One of the biggest problems encountered after nuclear facility accidents has been that high radiation causes rapid failure in electronic components. An innovative study conducted in Japan is on the verge of overcoming this challenge. Researchers have developed a special Wi-Fi chip capable of operating at extremely high radiation levels, such as 500 kilograys. Thanks to this, robots and drones will now be able to operate much longer and more efficiently, especially in dangerous zones similar to Fukushima.

NEW GENERATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPED IN TOKYO WILL FACILITATE OPERATIONS

Nuclear reactor decommissioning processes often require remotely operated robots due to intense gamma radiation that poses a major threat to human life. However, until now, these robots were controlled by thick and restrictive cables; wireless communication would quickly lose its functionality due to chips that were vulnerable to radiation. A team led by Assoc. Prof. Atsushi Shirane from the Tokyo Institute of Technology has overcome this obstacle with the durable Wi-Fi chip they developed. Now, robots and unmanned aerial vehicles will be able to move comfortably among complex nuclear debris without being tethered to cables.

The new chip not only increases the speed of operations but also minimizes the radiation levels that personnel might be exposed to. Thanks to this technology, cleanup and inspection work following nuclear accidents can be carried out both more safely and more effectively.

AN APPROACH THAT PREVENTS RADIATION DAMAGE TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS

Electronic parts operating under intense radiation quickly lose their functionality due to ionizing effects. Japanese engineers have brought a practical and rational solution to this problem: by reducing the number of transistors in the chip, the points where radiation can cause damage have been significantly decreased. The remaining transistors were designed in larger sizes, thus minimizing edges and junction points. Additionally, amplifiers that are easily damaged by radiation were removed and replaced with durable inductors. In laboratory tests conducted, it was observed that the performance loss of the chip was negligible.

KEY TECHNOLOGY IN FUTURE NUCLEAR DECOMMISSIONING OPERATIONS

According to international data, about half of the 423 operating nuclear reactors are expected to be shut down and decommissioned by 2050. These massive global efforts are increasing the need for radiation-resistant robotic systems every year. This new Wi-Fi chip, which was introduced at the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference, could play a central role in the safe decommissioning of nuclear sites and in reducing the need for human intervention during potential disasters.

With this groundbreaking development, robots will maintain their functionality even under the most dangerous conditions, serving as eyes and ears for humans. Future robots working in environments where radiation knows no bounds will now be able to perform their duties much more safely with this technology pioneered by Japanese scientists.

News Source: 12punto